, 1887-09-21
That Branch of the Knights of
Pythias Now in Session.
Visitors Are Being Entertained by
Rawlins Lodge No. a.
Prize Offered for the Largest
Division Goes to Rock Springs.
First Day Devoted to Organization
and Reading of Reports.

~Oeuuduce. Inc Se5SlOn was ueVOteO TO
the organization OF the body and the
reports of the following officers: Grand
chancellor, grand keeper of records and
seal, and chairman of the committee on
foreign correspondence
The parade BY members OF the order
was interrupted by rain. A prize banner
awarded to the division of the uniform
rank having the largest representation
was carried off by Rock Springs lodge,
No. f.. The session closes Wednesda,
with a grand ball and banquet to be given
by the Rawlins lodge. Following is a
brief synopsis of the report of each officer
as read at to-day's meeting.
Grand Chancellor Chas. N. Potter, of
Cheyenne, presented an extended and
thorough report of the duties of his
office during the past year. He said:
During the past year there has been a
substantial and steady growth in mem.
bership as well as in finances. Every
lodge appears to be in a healthy condi-
ton, and harmony and good feeling pre-
vail among the lodges and members gen
orally. From the reports of the several
district deputies, | am able to state that
non of u lodges have been unable to
hold meetings for want of a quorum to
any considerable extent. The officers of
the several lodges have been, as a rule,
prompt in attendance, and l hear of no
discussions having arisen, but on the
contrary, the information coming to this
Office indicates that the best of fraternal
feeling prevails among the membership.
During the last year an unusual interest
was developed in several of the lodges,
and many new names were added to their
rosters"
The grand chancellor reported the or
Ranization of Evanston lodge, No. 8, X.
Of P, at Evanston, which was instituted
by him personally on Oct. % last, in
which institution he was aided by mem
bers of the order from Cheyenne, Lara
mic, Rock Springs and Rlwlins, and
members from Ogden, Utah, who were
in attendance. This lodge was organized
with an unusual number of charter mem
bers, and thus far has fulfilled its promise
of success.
After an extended review of matters of
appeal and grievance, decisions upon
points of Pythian law and usage, and off
cial correspondence not proper for this re-
port, the grand chancellor said: 1T is a
pleasing circumstance that our lodges
have a desire for independence. This is
exhibited in the castle halls throughout
the territory. Cheyenne lodge, No. 2,
own a handsome building, costing, with
the grounds, in the neighborhood of $l5,-
600. They had but a small sun of money
to commence with, but plenty of grit and
determination among the membership.
They are in debt, to be sure, but during
the three years gone by since the erection
of tue building, the debt has been ma
terially decreased, and no fear exists in
the minds of any but that the liability
resting thereon will be properly and
promptly cared for. Damon, No. 3, is
an equal owner with the Masonic lodge at
Laramie in the handsome and appropriate
furniture and fixtures in their commodi
Gus castle hall, and the lodge is on the
lookout for an opportunity to erect a
building for themselves, and at no distant
day, | dare say, they will succeed. Sweet
water, No. 6, Rock Springs) and Buffalo,
No. I, buffalo,, occupy halls rented by
them from the owners of the building,
and which they have respectively fitted
up and furnished for themselves as dis
tinctive K. P. castle halls.
From an extended report presented by
the grand keeper of records and seal,
Frank H. Clark, concerning the affairs of
his Office during the past year, are
gathered the following statements of gem
eral interest
During the year from June 80, 1856 to
June 80, 1877 and up to the present time,
occurred but two deaths in the active
membership of this grand jurisdiction,
being of Past Chancellor w. w. Metcalf,
of Carbon Lodge No. 5 at Carbon, and
KIT. james Davidson, of Damon Lodge
No. g.. at Laramie.
During the year one new lodge was in
stituted, Evanston lodge No. s, at Evans
ton, having a present membership of 43,
and In connection of which has since been
organized a division of the uniform
rank.
OF the uniform rank, or military branch
of the order, this jurisdiction has now
four divisions, located respectively at
Cheyenne, Laramie, Rock Springs and
Evanston. The latter two were newly
organized and are present at this session
OF the grand lodge in competition for the
prize banner.
There are also three sections of the
endowment Tor i%nsurance) rank of tie or
der in this territory, located at Cheyenne,
Laramie and Buffalo.
The membership of the grand lodge is
formed from the past chancellors "a post
official rank) from the subordinate lodges
Of such eliUihla mamhara tho inriadictipD